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15/03/2002
Bloody Sunday families react to Lord Kilclooney's evidence
Claims by Ulster Unionist Lord Kilclooney that those who were killed by British Paratroopers on Bloody Sunday were armed have been greeted by the families and wounded as “hurtful” but “significant”.
The statement made on their behalf claims that Lord Kilclooney’s evidence to the Inquiry indicates the Stormont government of the time - in which the unionist peer was a junior minister in 1972 - was a "puppet" of Westminster.
The statement, released on Friday 15 March, said: “Despite the hurtful remarks from John Taylor in his oral evidence at the Inquiry yesterday, that 13 of those killed on Bloody Sunday were gunmen and that the people of Derry "drank and celebrated" the shooting of 27 people in the City that day, the Families and Wounded regard his evidence as being particularly significant.
“Whilst not downplaying the role of the Joint Security Committee in security and operational policy at Stormont, Taylor’s evidence clearly demonstrates that the Northern Ireland government was a mere puppet regime and that the political and security administration in Whitehall had direct and ultimate responsibility for the planning and conduct of the shoot to kill operation that was executed on Bloody Sunday.”
The peer - former MP, John Taylor - told the Saville Inquiry on Thursday 14 March that "13 armed men" were shot dead on Bloody Sunday.
Asked by Michael Lavery QC, counsel for most of the families of those killed and injured, if he believed 13 gunmen had been killed, Lord Kilclooney replied: "Oh yes, I believe that, yes and still do."
The former UUP deputy leader also told the Saville Inquiry that the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) had been infiltrated by republicans. He claimed: "The organisation was used as a cover for terrorists". (AMcE)
The statement made on their behalf claims that Lord Kilclooney’s evidence to the Inquiry indicates the Stormont government of the time - in which the unionist peer was a junior minister in 1972 - was a "puppet" of Westminster.
The statement, released on Friday 15 March, said: “Despite the hurtful remarks from John Taylor in his oral evidence at the Inquiry yesterday, that 13 of those killed on Bloody Sunday were gunmen and that the people of Derry "drank and celebrated" the shooting of 27 people in the City that day, the Families and Wounded regard his evidence as being particularly significant.
“Whilst not downplaying the role of the Joint Security Committee in security and operational policy at Stormont, Taylor’s evidence clearly demonstrates that the Northern Ireland government was a mere puppet regime and that the political and security administration in Whitehall had direct and ultimate responsibility for the planning and conduct of the shoot to kill operation that was executed on Bloody Sunday.”
The peer - former MP, John Taylor - told the Saville Inquiry on Thursday 14 March that "13 armed men" were shot dead on Bloody Sunday.
Asked by Michael Lavery QC, counsel for most of the families of those killed and injured, if he believed 13 gunmen had been killed, Lord Kilclooney replied: "Oh yes, I believe that, yes and still do."
The former UUP deputy leader also told the Saville Inquiry that the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA) had been infiltrated by republicans. He claimed: "The organisation was used as a cover for terrorists". (AMcE)
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04 February 2002
First police witness gives evidence to Bloody Sunday Inquiry
The first police witnesses are giving evidence to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry in Londonderry. The inquiry, chaired by Lord Saville in the city's Guildhall, is examining the events of 30 January 1972 when 13 civilians were shot dead by British Army soldiers during a civil rights march. A 14th person died later.
First police witness gives evidence to Bloody Sunday Inquiry
The first police witnesses are giving evidence to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry in Londonderry. The inquiry, chaired by Lord Saville in the city's Guildhall, is examining the events of 30 January 1972 when 13 civilians were shot dead by British Army soldiers during a civil rights march. A 14th person died later.
24 January 2002
Bloody Sunday Inquiry to change venue for soldiers’ evidence
The Bloody Sunday Inquiry is to move to Britain temporarily to hear evidence from soldiers who refused to return to Londonderry. The Inquiry, sitting in the Guildhall in Derry, is investigating the shooting dead of 13 people at a civil rights march in the city by the British Army on 30 January 1972. A 14th man died later.
Bloody Sunday Inquiry to change venue for soldiers’ evidence
The Bloody Sunday Inquiry is to move to Britain temporarily to hear evidence from soldiers who refused to return to Londonderry. The Inquiry, sitting in the Guildhall in Derry, is investigating the shooting dead of 13 people at a civil rights march in the city by the British Army on 30 January 1972. A 14th man died later.
21 January 2002
Hume gives evidence at Bloody Sunday Inquiry
The Foyle Member of Parliament John Hume has begun giving evidence to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry in County Londonderry. Speaking at the Guildhall on Monday January 21, the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate told the Saville Inquiry of his fears for the fate of the Civil Rights marchers on that fateful day.
Hume gives evidence at Bloody Sunday Inquiry
The Foyle Member of Parliament John Hume has begun giving evidence to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry in County Londonderry. Speaking at the Guildhall on Monday January 21, the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate told the Saville Inquiry of his fears for the fate of the Civil Rights marchers on that fateful day.
08 May 2002
DUP leader accuses Saville Inquiry of discrimination
The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party Dr Ian Paisley has accused the Bloody Sunday Inquiry of “political discrimination”. Having ignored a witness summons to attend the Inquiry on Tuesday, Mr Paisley testified on Wednesday following a threat that he would be reported for contempt of court if he ignored an order to appear.
DUP leader accuses Saville Inquiry of discrimination
The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party Dr Ian Paisley has accused the Bloody Sunday Inquiry of “political discrimination”. Having ignored a witness summons to attend the Inquiry on Tuesday, Mr Paisley testified on Wednesday following a threat that he would be reported for contempt of court if he ignored an order to appear.
21 May 2002
MI5 call for restrictions on Shayler’s evidence to Inquiry
The British security service MI5 has applied for special restrictions to be put in place for the evidence of a former MI5 agent who is due to appear before the Bloody Sunday Tribunal in Derry. The application, due to be heard this Monday, calls for the Inquiry chamber to be cleared during David Shayler’s evidence.
MI5 call for restrictions on Shayler’s evidence to Inquiry
The British security service MI5 has applied for special restrictions to be put in place for the evidence of a former MI5 agent who is due to appear before the Bloody Sunday Tribunal in Derry. The application, due to be heard this Monday, calls for the Inquiry chamber to be cleared during David Shayler’s evidence.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
